Tibetan and Himalayan Library - THL

Description: This is a study pubished in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine on the effects of mindfulness meditation on the brain and immune system. Participants in the study engaged in an 8-week training program of mindfulness meditation that was to be applied in participant's work environment (a biotechnology company in Madison, Wisconsin). Experimenters measured brain activity in the experimental and control group and vaccinated both groups with an influenza vaccine. Results showed that meditators had increased activation in the left prefrontal cortex and a greater response to the influenza vaccine (greater production of antibody titers) than the control group. (Zach Rowinski 2004-05-21)

Means of availability: Articles from Psychosomatic Medicine are available in print or by subscription. Visit their webpage for more information.

Published reviews:

Two reviews of this study and responses from its authors in the January 2004 issues of Psychosomatic Medicine:

F. Travis, A. Arenander, and R. J. Davidson.
"EEG asymetry and mindfulness meditation * Response"
Psychosom Med. , January 1, 2004; 66(1): 147 - 148.

J. C. Smith, R. J. Davidson, and J. Kabat-Zinn.
"Alternations in brain and immune function produced by mindfulness meditation: three caveats * Response" Psychosom Med. , January 1, 2004; 66(1): 148 - 152.